The highlights to be taken from Liverpool's FA Cup defeat at West Ham United last night were, naturally, few and far between.

Philippe Coutinho's goalscoring return, a cameo from Daniel Sturridge off the bench and an encouraging display from Lucas in central defence offered Jurgen Klopp some solace despite the Reds being dumped out of the fourth round courtesy of Angelo Ogbonna's late winner in extra time.

But amidst the woe of losing in such dramatic circumstances, the manager, players and also the fans were able to take even more comfort in another Brad Smith performance which belied the 21-year-old's tender years.

The full-back rampaged forward at every opportunity down the left flank in his customary all-action style and it was a showing which further endeared him to the travelling Reds faithful.

(Photo: 2016 Getty Images)

He teed up Christian Benteke for one of several chances the Belgian ought to have buried with one second-half surge and cross and was a livewire against Hammers stalwart Joey O'Brien as he raced continually up and down the left flank.

And the calls for the new kid on the block to usurp Alberto Moreno in the Reds' pecking order at left-back are increasingly audible now.

Smith is full of industry but also invention on the left wing and, tellingly, he has averaged two crosses per game across both his Europa League and Premier league appearances this season, while Moreno - albeit having made considerably more outings this term - has 1.7 per game for the two competitions.

Liverpool defenders - dribbled past per game

Stats from WhoScored

According to WhoScored , Smith has a better overall rating than the Spaniard (7.19 to 6.88), has won more aerial duels and also registers more tackles and clearances per game than Moreno, whose defensive qualities have been called into question this season.

The most damning statistic from his perspective is that he has been dribbled past 0.8 times per match - the worst total of any Liverpool defender so far in 2015/16.

Conversely, Moreno attempts 0.6 dribbles per match from an offensive point of view, a total which is once again bettered by the foraging Smith (1.5) and he is also dispossessed 0.8 times in a game on average.

It's not entirely one-sided though.

Brad Smith v Alberto Moreno - Dribbles per match

Stats from WhoScored

The oft-maligned full-back does prevail in some defensive categories, however, having made nearly two times as many interceptions for the Reds than Smith this season and he has also committed less than half the number of fouls made by Smith (0.9 to 2).

Klopp's current primary pick in the position has two assists to his name this season to Smith's none and when it comes to passing, Moreno holds a clear advantage having amassed an average of 42.5 passes per game against his rival's own 30.5.

Moreno is also up on key passes (2.5 to 1.5), passing success (83.9% to 79.8%) and long balls (2.8 to 1.5) - illustrating the areas in which Smith can still continue to develop his game.

There are certainly improvements to be made by the Australian and he is by no means the polished product just yet but, if he continues this kind of form, it won't be long before he is able to oust Moreno and cement his place as Liverpool's No.1 at left back.